Last season, Gary Talton emerged and became relevant in the NBA D-League by making everyone else look good. Guiding the likes of Robert Covington, to Troy Daniels, and others, the floor general served as the true orchestrator of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers' ever unique run and gun offense. Talton ran the floor rather efficiently, and managed to drop an eye-popping number of assists at a rapid rate.
It was the start of a movement towards a new type of successful offense in the D-League, and Talton was front and center as the team continued turning heads.
And as the new 2014-15 season began, such a trail of success only continued for Talton, who was averaging an impressive double-double of points and assists through his first twelve contests.
When a surprising trade sent him packing up to join the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, many wondered if he would continue to thrive. Would he be able to find similar success, while running the offense for the defending champions? After all, Fort Wanye plays with a steadier tempo, to say the least. The questions remained.
But for anyone still wondering if Talton would go on to prove himself yet again, he's certainly working to put an end to such doubts, and then some. In addition to continuing to rise up as an impressive facilitator, he's even been more assertive with the basketball in his hands, looking for his own offense quite often as well.
Needless to say, all of that was on display last week as Talton led the way for Fort Wayne to two quality victories. Leading his team with 30 points in one and dishing out 16 assists in the other, the 24 year old averaged 23.5 points (all the while shooting 55% from the field and 62% from deep), 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.
For his latest efforts, the young gun receives RidiculousUpside.com's latest Top Prospect of the Week award, ranging from games played February 1st-February 7th.
His impressive impact will undoubtedly continue to make a difference for the Mad Ants, as evidenced in the team's ability to rise to the top of their division with Talton now in town.